There was the final exams at Uni at the end of May and after that many many dinners and nights out at the end of the month since all of us in Kuching were going to our separate ways.
On 2nd of June me and Anu left Kuching (Minni left couple days earlier back to Finland) behind us and headed to the peninsular of Malaysia to Johor Bahru. I had booked us an accommodation from this guy's house (Jomi homestay) and it was an interesting experience to say the least. So after couple hours of sleep we woke up early the next morning and headed to the bus station with the help of this very nice German guy who was friendly enough to take us to the station as we were lost.
After two bus rides, first from Johor Bahru to Kota Tinggi and then to Mersing where after few hours of waiting we took our ferry to Pulau Tioman. We decided to go to place called ABC (Air Batang) as it seemed to be in the favor of backpackers. After the day of travelling we were super exhausted and didn't have the energy to search for cheap accommodation so we ended up staying the first night in a bit more expensive chalet at Nazri's ii but it was a nice one with air-con and proper beads.
On Monday we started our search for cheaper chalet and we found decent room from Nazri's Place with hot shower and comfy beds just near the beach with restaurant and a bar. We stayed here till Thursday sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming with colorful fishes. People here were friendly and helpful and the duty free beer was cheap. We also met the funniest hippie guy who was working at the hotel and he kept me company on Thursday after Anu left the island to go back to Finland.
My original plan was to search for a new accommodation in ABC and change to another beach the next day after Anu left but I decided to make it easier for myself and go to Salang beach the same day. This beach was more crowded and had more restaurants, bars and shops. I found this cute chalet for myself at Ella's Place. Also in Salang I spend my time beach bumming, snorkeling and meeting other backpackers. The highlight of my trip to Tioman was the two times we saw sea turtles and swam with them! This was of course when my camera stopped working...
As I was already almost out of cash (there is one ATM on the island) and had spend a week on the island on Sunday it was time to head to Kuala Lumpur to see my friends who came back to KL from UK for the summer. So early Sunday morning me and couple of Germans and Dutch people I met in the island took the morning ferry back to Mersing. I had booked a bus ticket on Saturday for myself in Tioman and as I paid a little extra for the faster bus it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Big comfy seats guaranteed me a nice nap on the way and this one time it wasn't freezing cold in the bus as it usually is.
After I arrived to KL I took a taxi to this nice little hostel called Red Palm where the Germans where also heading (we traveled with different bus companies to KL) and it was absolutely pleasant surprise! The communal area was more of a living room with piles of books, magazines, DVDs and colorful walls and sofas. Also the staff here is super friendly and they make you feel like your at home. So I spend my first night of my second visit to KL here and I'm looking forward to coming back to this place someday.
So today, On Monday my friends are coming to pick me up and I'm guessing there is going to be a major catch up since I haven't seen them since December when I left from UK.
So this is it for this time and more to come later from my last week in Malaysia!
Peace and Love from the capital
Tare
